ABVP Protests Escalate in Jharkhand as Tamil Nadu Assembly Calls for NEET Abolition

In a significant turn of events, several members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) faced detention during a protest march towards the Jharkhand Assembly. This demonstration, which aimed to voice concerns over police actions against students, escalated after clashes broke out between protesters and law enforcement. The ABVP workers were reacting to the use of lathis and tear gas by the police during a prior protest against alleged discrepancies in the competitive examination process for government jobs.

The ABVP, the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has been vocal about what they deem excessive police force against students. In the wake of these incidents, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced a statewide bandh, urging supporters to observe the strike from 8 AM to midnight on Tuesday in solidarity with the students. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, leading the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, acknowledged the students’ rights to express their grievances and promised that the government would take their issues seriously and address them with sensitivity.

Meanwhile, in a parallel development, the Tamil Nadu Assembly made a historic move by passing a resolution calling for the abolition of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions. The resolution, which received unanimous support from the assembly, urged the Union government to allow states to conduct admissions based on Class 12 exam marks instead. Only one MLA from the BJP opposed the motion, choosing to walk out before the vote took place.

This resolution was fueled by concerns regarding the mental stress faced by students due to irregularities reported in the 2026 NEET exam, which many believe has exacerbated the challenges of medical entrance examinations. The Tamil Nadu government has been increasingly critical of NEET, asserting that it disadvantages local students and undermines their abilities based on state board assessments.

The contrasting responses to student protests in Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu reflect a broader debate over educational policies and student rights in India. As the situation evolves, both regions are likely to witness ongoing discussions about the governance of entrance examinations and the treatment of student activists.

Source: scroll.in